In the afternoon of October 24, Mr. Yang Wenchang, President of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), held a briefing for the journalists from home and abroad, introducing the upcoming international seminar on "China's Peaceful Development and a Harmonious World". He said that in cooperation with other institutes of international studies, CPIFA would sponsor a large-scale international seminar entitled "China's Peaceful Development and a Harmonious World" from November 8 to 9, 2007 in Jianguo Garden Hotel. About 150 persons including former government leaders, well-known diplomats and scholars from the US, Asia, Europe and Africa will take part in the seminar.

Yang said the seminar was planed to be held after the conclusion of the 17^th national congress of the CPC. Its purpose is to explain to the world the relationship between the socialism with Chinese characteristics and the whole world. The discussions of the seminar will firmly focus on the direction and policies of China's development pattern, analyzing why China's development pattern would be opportunities rather than challenges to other countries in the world. The seminar will be divided into five sessions: 1. The Prospect of China's Peaceful Development; 2. China' Peaceful Development and International Relations; 3. China's Peaceful Development and International Security; 4. China's Peaceful Development and World Economy; 5.Cultural Diversity and a Harmonious World.

Yang said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan would attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will attend the opening ceremony and make a speech about China-European relations at a luncheon. The opening and closing ceremonies of the seminar and the luncheon in honor of Mr. Schroeder will be open to the media. Chinese and foreign media are welcome to cover the events.

About 30 Chinese and foreign media friends such as from CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, CNR, CRI, UPI, NHK, and Global Radio News attended the press briefing.